I retired from teaching in 2008 after 31 year teaching wood shop and construction related classes. This blogs intent is to continue to share my love and knowledge of wood working with others. My online portfolio can be viewed at www.woodworksbyjohn.com. By posting comments, pictures, and also sharing the thought process I go through to complete my commissions I hope to continue to share my work with you.

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I'm a woodworker that does commissions for one of a kind, custom work. I will share and answer questions regarding my posts or anything else pertaining to woodworking.
I also offer one on one instruction from my shop in Las Vegas that can be tailored around your schedule and what aspect of woodworking you'd like to learn more about. Contact me for details.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Wine Cupboards are Complete

After completing all of those little details that need to be done, the wine cupboards are both complete. Here is one of them hung in the family room:

Closed View

It's on an angled wall and since it's only 6 1/2" deep fits the space just right. Matter of fact, there is now a request for a narrow table with some type of stone top to sit below it so the wine can be poured right there!
Here's what it looks when it is open, room for three bottles and four glasses:

Open View

The African Mahogany, although it gave me some problems, really looks nice on the wall. As I recall the name of the color we painted the wall was Peanut Butter. The cupboard is attached with a French Cleat so there is no visible hardware or screws on the interior. There is ample room to put a wine cork of some type or another on the shelf above the glasses.

Latch Detail

I really like the hardware chosen for this project. Here's a close up of it, pretty obvious why it's called a Rat Tail Latch. This was a fairly common design used for shutters. The over-all feeling I wanted to achieve with the Wine Cupboard is one of a classical, well constructed piece. In keeping with what is often called "old world craftsmanship" the top molding was formed with a hand beader. The bottom of the case consists of hand cut dovetails which is a very traditional method of casework when you use solid wood. To my eye, using the Radio Weave pattern of woven caning enriches the over-all appearance of the cupboard. When the light shines through this you can see the slightest reflection of the glasses inside.

In keeping with the old ways of doing these things, the finish is clear shellac, about 5-6 coats. Once it was cured it was rubbed out with paste wax, thinned with Turpenoid. Turpenoid is something my wife used when painting in closed areas and is an odorless turpentine. This is the first time I've used this product and according to the manufacturer it has all of the properties of turpentine without the odor -- which I actually like! However; I didn't want to use anything that may ruin the taste of the wine.

Last of all though, if you've followed along with the making of this project you know I've had my fair share of difficulties with the African Mahogany. I said I was going to conquer it's reversed grain and other difficulties and I thought I had until it got me one last time! When I was smoothing it out I ran my hand over it to see how things were going, that's when it stuck me with a pretty good sliver. No big deal, or so I thought, until it broke off as I pulled at it with a pair of tweezers. If you work with wood you know that if you just let it alone for a few days it'll fester a bit and you can pop it right out of there. Tried that and got a little bit more out but that wood was determined to get the last word. After watching the lump grow and get more painful I finally gave in and went to Quick Care today. Two hours later and lots of cutting and probing the doctor got the last 1/4" long piece out of my finger, the only good outcome was that the doctor let me keep the tweezers!

4 comments:

My daughter would love a wine cabinet like this. Do you have a source for the cane used as door panels? I don't think I'll use the African Mahogany you used but maybe cherry or walnut.A very nice looking project.ralph

Hi Ralph, I get my caning supplies from Franks Cane in California, here's his link: http://franksupply.com/I've done business with him several times and I'd recommend him, if you run into problems or have questions you can call them and they're very helpful. I made a tutorial blog on the Radio Weave. Glad you like the cabinet, let me know if you have any questions.